Shades of Green Landscaping takes great pride in the imaginative and high quality structures they design and incorporate into projects as needed. Not only are aesthetics and style important, but it is essential that the clients get the best use as appropriate to their needs or as the design intends. Great care is used in determining appropriate heights, sizes, material types in design of these features.
Often, structures are intended to provide shade …. Shades of Green Landscaping considers orientation and spacing of overhead beams and arbor joists to provide the most effective shade for the situation or will design a pattern to result in interesting shadow patterns.
Sometimes the structure is designed to complement the home’s architecture of a treatment it has, such as use of arches, or oversized beams, or a trim detail. A structure might be designed to create a space within a larger space, such as a pergola over part of a larger deck or patio that fits a table and chairs perfectly. It may be a definite physical delineation or just a ‘psychological hint’ with use of just a few properly located lines of wood.
Trellises may be used to create privacy or block a view or just give a more intimate feel to a space. It might be used for growing a vine or providing plants with some nice background texture. It may emphasize or accentuate a style.
Arbors create a feeling of entering a new area. They can have a gate or be wide open. They can be a simple opening or made much wider. Shades of Green Landscaping may incorporate other elements into making these such as windows or wrought iron works.
A structure’s main purpose may be strictly functional. Despite that, Shades of Green Landscaping will add extra touches for aesthetics’s sake as possible.
Shades of Green Landscaping often suggests the incorporation of a bridge into the design and installation, as it is a great solution for separating a more manicured area and a more pastoral area, or to make an ‘island’ where the play structure is and the kids must cross it for access. The structure might be part of a style such as in an Asian garden. Or it is just an element to add interest or function in crossing the many streams often incorporated into our designs. People really seem to love the idea of them and are excited when they see their plan at presentation to find a bridge has been included in the design.
Safety is of highest importance. Structures are built well over any given chart or standard.
Below are some photos to envision the design of various structures you might like for your own place. Shades of Green Landscaping will be able to custom design a structural feature to meet your needs and exceed your expectations!

Teahouse with benches, covered in flowering vines, at the back of a secret garden

Cozy corner with pergola over a dining area. Timber retaining wall defines two sides of the area, their height adding to the enclosed feel.


Inside of pavilion.

Great place to get out of the sun and have a conversation

Pavillion provides needed shade for the hot, south-facing back yard

14x16 Pergola overlooks waterfall and pond in this steep back yard in Lakeland Hills.
Triangular pergola over kitchen.

A focal point at the end of a lineal garden path, this small pergola holds a wooden swing – great for relaxing and looking back across the garden.

New sunroom and deck allow great views of Lake Washington rather than the original catwalk from the back door to the driveway.

Relaxing lounge area off the main patio set in the shade to stay cool on hot days.

This hammock area under a pergola is a favorite destination of the yard.


The blue spruces planted by the clients will add privacy to this courtyard with a small pergola over the eating area.
A very simple arbor signals the entrance to a new space, a secret garden that is just around the curve on the path.

These chickens have a great life!

Small bridge crossing bog area to secret garden that is behind the curve in the path

A curved wooden bridge is a great place to see the koi and provides a good place for them to hide from raccoons and blue heron.

Arched bridge with rails crossing a dry streambed.

Composite wood bridge crosses narrow pond to a small patio

1200 pound basalt slab from Marenenkos will be a great bridge that will cross this waterfall from the upper yard.

An Ipe wood bridge crosses a dry waterfall and connects to the steps that go down to the driveway.

Pergola covers seating area that overlooks the decorative block fireplace and fountain.

Wood slats break up view of neighbors’ parking as well as structure for growing peas, beans, berries, etc.

2 Side trellises and one center trellis which is actually a water feature that drips a ‘rain shower’ from the upper beams to the block basin below and recirculates. This is a sunny rose garden area (still to be planted) close to Washington national Golf Course. Clients can still watch the golfers play ad see the beautiful lawn of the fairway, but this give a bit of privacy and security.

Freestanding trellis adds privacy from tee box of golf course/players (you can see how close they are through lattice) directly behind client’s low fence. Evergreen jasmine will add more privacy and add fragrance to the patio area. New plantings will visually ‘soften’ the structure.

Trellis above a seating wall gives separation from the lawn area behind it and help define the patio in partially encircles. Evergreen clematis add fragrance and more privacy to the patio.

This trellis , ordered online, is really a piece of art and needs no plantings – great way to highlight a blank wall or fence.

Trellis over garage door will soon have this red climbing rose growing across it.

Beautiful clematis blooming on this custom arbor and gate below.

Neighborly way to separate property. Each neighbor can enjoy the garden of the other.